The Western Bulldogs will be aiming to prove they are by no means a fading force when they take on AFL high flyers Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Monday.

The Bulldogs were widely tipped to be the team to challenge Collingwood for the flag this year, but Rodney Eade's charges were given a harsh reality check in the season-opener when they copped a 55-point hiding at the hands of Essendon.

Although the Bulldogs have since posted big wins over struggling Brisbane (78 points) and Gold Coast (71), midfielder Daniel Cross admitted the team was yet to hit their straps and had plenty to prove.

"We've had a bit of an indifferent start to the year," said Cross, who has overcome a mid-week virus.

"Although we've had two big wins, the loss against Essendon still really stings all of us.

"... We've got to atone for that.

"Even though we've been together as a group a long time, the competition changes so much that you have to adjust as a team.

"The main area (we have to improve) is our defensive pressure ... we as a whole have been a bit lazy on defence occasionally.

"We think our attacking side of our game is as good as anyone's, so it's the defensive aspect we need to get right.

"Playing Freo on a big ground is going to be a massive test to see how it holds up."

The Bulldogs' top-four hopes will be put to the test over the next fortnight, with the Fremantle clash to be followed by a date with defending premiers Collingwood just six days later.

"We really want to start ramping up our season from this point on because sides can really start to get away from you and you can lose touch with the top four," Cross said.

"You really want to be in the top four to challenge for the big prize at the end of the year."

Fremantle have posted three wins from four games this season, with their tackling inside the attacking 50m one of the major reasons for their bright start to the year.

Cross conceded that was an area that Bulldogs needed to drastically improve on if they were to challenge for the flag.

"We haven't been great at that," he said.

"It's an area we have to get better if we are to challenge the great sides."

The Bulldogs have won six in a row against the Dockers, but Cross said that would count for little against a Fremantle side boasting an array of talented youngsters and in-form veterans.

"History doesn't mean anything in my eyes," Cross said.

"They're a very dangerous side. They've got a real good core group of quality players and they are starting to get a lot of depth in their list.

"They're definitely a force to be reckoned with."

As expected, both teams made just the one forced change, with Nick Lower coming in for injured Fremantle defender Nick Suban and Bulldogs father-son recruit Mitch Wallis included for his debut in place of Daniel Giansiracusa (hamstring).

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP